RESEED Silicon Valley
Retirees Enhancing Science Education through Experiments & Demonstrations
Retirees Enhancing Science Education through Experiments & Demonstrations
Overview
Numerous studies over the past 20 years have shown a decline in the number of U.S. college graduates seeking careers in science and engineering. Project RESEED (Retirees Enhancing Science Education through Experiments and Demonstrations) is a program aimed at stimulating greater interest in science among students at the middle school level (grades 6, 7 and 8). RESEED has trained hundreds of volunteer retirees nationwide and about 25 volunteers are now active in Silicon Valley. RESEED Silicon Valley also welcomes stay-at-home parents and any other volunteers who have a background in science or engineering.
Volunteers typically receive 2 to 3 days of training before being matched with a teacher-partner to work with students. The training is less focused on the pre-existing content knowledge of the retirees, but more on pedagogical questions and research on what we know about how children learn. In addition, selected volunteer retirees relate their experiences in the RESEED program.
RESEED offers retired scientists and engineers the opportunity to use their technical knowledge and experience to support teachers and work with children. Scientists in disciplines other than the physical sciences (e.g. in the life sciences, earth sciences, and astronomy) also use the RESEED model for involving qualified retirees in science education partnerships. Most of those who have been involved in the program value their experience as among the most meaningful in their lives.
Educators involved in systemic reform of science education also use RESEED as a model for valuable and often untapped resources (qualified retirees) to support teachers as they learn new ways to teach science that require scientific habits of mind and ways of thinking, as well as a deeper understanding of science content.
Testimonials
“I feel that inviting Mr. C into my classroom has been a great success! My students enthusiastically anticipate Mr. C’s visit each week. They prepare for the privilege to work with him: discussing their experimental data, honing skills in data analysis and graphing, and asking questions about his demonstrations. Student learning soars on the days when Mr. C works with my students because between the two of us, there is more one-on-one time for advanced and struggling learners alike. As a direct result of the RESEED program, state test scores rose from 85% to 95% Proficient and Advanced with only 2% Below Basic, and more students stop by to visit Mr. C and report that they are taking advanced science classes in high school.” - Mrs. Hope Oliver, Bret Harte Middle School, San Jose, California.
“It’s a pleasure to present Helping Hands Awards to the wonderful volunteers from RESEED, Dr. Peter Mueller, Dr. David Biegelsen, Fred Dietrich, and Myron Cagan. Thanks for your dedication, tireless enthusiasm, hard work and service to the betterment of students in Middle School Science at Selby Lane School.” - Carolyn Williams, Principal, Selby Lane School, Menlo Park, California.
Volunteers typically receive 2 to 3 days of training before being matched with a teacher-partner to work with students. The training is less focused on the pre-existing content knowledge of the retirees, but more on pedagogical questions and research on what we know about how children learn. In addition, selected volunteer retirees relate their experiences in the RESEED program.
RESEED offers retired scientists and engineers the opportunity to use their technical knowledge and experience to support teachers and work with children. Scientists in disciplines other than the physical sciences (e.g. in the life sciences, earth sciences, and astronomy) also use the RESEED model for involving qualified retirees in science education partnerships. Most of those who have been involved in the program value their experience as among the most meaningful in their lives.
Educators involved in systemic reform of science education also use RESEED as a model for valuable and often untapped resources (qualified retirees) to support teachers as they learn new ways to teach science that require scientific habits of mind and ways of thinking, as well as a deeper understanding of science content.
Testimonials
“I feel that inviting Mr. C into my classroom has been a great success! My students enthusiastically anticipate Mr. C’s visit each week. They prepare for the privilege to work with him: discussing their experimental data, honing skills in data analysis and graphing, and asking questions about his demonstrations. Student learning soars on the days when Mr. C works with my students because between the two of us, there is more one-on-one time for advanced and struggling learners alike. As a direct result of the RESEED program, state test scores rose from 85% to 95% Proficient and Advanced with only 2% Below Basic, and more students stop by to visit Mr. C and report that they are taking advanced science classes in high school.” - Mrs. Hope Oliver, Bret Harte Middle School, San Jose, California.
“It’s a pleasure to present Helping Hands Awards to the wonderful volunteers from RESEED, Dr. Peter Mueller, Dr. David Biegelsen, Fred Dietrich, and Myron Cagan. Thanks for your dedication, tireless enthusiasm, hard work and service to the betterment of students in Middle School Science at Selby Lane School.” - Carolyn Williams, Principal, Selby Lane School, Menlo Park, California.
RESEED Silicon Valley
Peter K. Mueller, Ph.D., RE-SEED Coordinator
3801 Magnolia Drive, Palo Alto CA 94306-3232
Telephone: (650) 856-1255
Email: pklaus@mac.com
